How the Legal Case of an Army Veteran Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Ended in Not Guilty Verdict

Youths in a tense situation with army troops on Bloody Sunday
Protesters in a tense situation with army troops on Bloody Sunday

Sunday 30 January 1972 stands as among the deadliest – and significant – dates in multiple decades of conflict in this area.

Within the community where events unfolded – the memories of the tragic events are displayed on the structures and seared in collective memory.

A public gathering was organized on a cold but bright day in Derry.

The demonstration was opposing the policy of internment – detaining individuals without due process – which had been implemented in response to three years of unrest.

A Catholic priest displayed a blood-stained handkerchief as he tried to protect a assembly transporting a youth, the injured teenager
Father Daly waved a blood-stained handkerchief in an effort to protect a crowd carrying a youth, the injured teenager

Soldiers from the specialized division killed thirteen individuals in the Bogside area – which was, and continues to be, a strongly nationalist community.

One image became notably memorable.

Images showed a religious figure, Fr Edward Daly, waving a stained with blood white handkerchief in his effort to shield a crowd moving a teenager, the injured teenager, who had been fatally wounded.

Media personnel captured considerable film on the day.

Documented accounts contains Fr Daly explaining to a reporter that troops "just seemed to shoot indiscriminately" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no provocation for the discharge of weapons.

Individuals in the Bogside area being taken to detention by soldiers on Bloody Sunday
Civilians in the Bogside area being directed to custody by British troops on Bloody Sunday

This account of what happened was rejected by the first inquiry.

The first investigation determined the military had been attacked first.

During the negotiation period, Tony Blair's government established another inquiry, following pressure by family members, who said the initial inquiry had been a cover-up.

In 2010, the conclusion by the investigation said that overall, the soldiers had fired first and that not one of the victims had been armed.

At that time government leader, David Cameron, expressed regret in the Parliament – stating deaths were "improper and unjustifiable."

Kin of the deceased of the tragic event fatalities process from the Bogside area of Derry to the municipal center displaying pictures of their loved ones
Relatives of the victims of the 1972 incident killings march from the Bogside area of the city to the civic building carrying pictures of their loved ones

Law enforcement started to examine the incident.

One former paratrooper, known as Soldier F, was brought to trial for killing.

Accusations were made regarding the killings of the first individual, twenty-two, and 26-year-old the second individual.

The defendant was additionally charged of trying to kill multiple individuals, Joseph Friel, further individuals, Michael Quinn, and an unidentified individual.

Exists a legal order preserving the soldier's anonymity, which his attorneys have argued is necessary because he is at danger.

He stated to the Saville Inquiry that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at people who were carrying weapons.

This assertion was disputed in the final report.

Information from the inquiry could not be used immediately as testimony in the criminal process.

In court, the accused was screened from view using a privacy screen.

He spoke for the initial occasion in the proceedings at a proceeding in that month, to reply "not guilty" when the accusations were put to him.

Relatives and allies of those killed on the incident carry a placard and photos of those killed
Relatives and supporters of the victims on Bloody Sunday display a placard and images of those killed

Kin of the deceased on that day travelled from Derry to the courthouse daily of the case.

A family member, whose relative was fatally wounded, said they understood that hearing the proceedings would be emotional.

"I visualize everything in my recollection," the relative said, as we walked around the primary sites referenced in the proceedings – from the street, where his brother was killed, to the adjacent the area, where the individual and the second person were killed.

"It returns me to my location that day.

"I helped to carry Michael and place him in the vehicle.

"I relived the entire event during the evidence.

"But even with having to go through all that – it's still meaningful for me."

One victim (left) and William McKinney (right) were part of who were died on the incident
Susan French
Susan French

An experienced journalist with a passion for investigative reporting and a focus on Central European affairs.